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Reviews
Rutherford Falls (2021)
Please find Ed Helms a real show to lead
This is not Ed Helms show fyi - they put him on the poster as a lead to get viewers because most of the cast are not famous and some don't even have an acting background. Truly, this all shows because the acting is God awful. Helms stands on the side of most scenes, making the odd quip or face, very funny when he is allowed in it but he isn't in it much.
His storyline in season 2 keeps him isolated from the main story and out for the centre of the action. I'd imagine that gap will only grow as time goes on now we have this stupid baby plot which was so cheesy and unnecessary. Maybe he likes being out of the action It's probably easy money but hedoesn't seem particularly invested in the character being more than a caricature
The cast is less than average and the plots are weak at best. It could be about the daily life of a town and be funny but it's about nothing much and it's hard to find a character to really support.
Huge shout of to LA comedian Beth Stelling who is super under utilised as Peggy Fish but should be a lead character/ love interest for Nathan instead of the terrible "romance" storyline he is in with the pregnant girl.
It should work it is written by the amazing Mike Schur so it should be great but it's singular focus on social commentary largely means it misses actual humour. The second season is slightly better than the first one, finding some funnier moments and new ideas but not much.
I will absolutely watch the next Helms and Schur projects individually but this one isn't strong enough to compete with current tv shows.
The Clapper (2017)
A really beautiful simple movie with heart to brighten your day
I found this movie by accident but being a fan of low budget films where story is more important than special effects this really appealed to me. This is a story with real heart, beautifully acted especially by Ed Helms who is funny but also plays the role with great compassion for the real life Eddie Krumble, who this film is based on. Eddie moves to LA after the loosing his young wife and find jobs working as a professional audience member. He is a normal man, happy with his day to day humble life and not at all blindsided by the "glamour" of LA or fame. He just wants to blend in and earn enough money to take Judy from the gas station on Melrose, who he has been pining for for sometime, out for fries! Unfortunately a late night talk show spots him and makes him famous meaning Eddie may loose his job and Judy. The film navigates Eddie taking on the studios and Hollywood in his quiet and humble way, as well as his relationship with his best friend played by Tracey Morgan. There is lots of humour but also some sadness and thought provoking moments about what really matters in life and the absurdity of LA. I enjoyed seeing a film about the real LA, venerable and realistic characters with no big successes or houses in the hills but the people who sit in the background of Hollywood and never get examined in movies. Performances were stellar and for me, the mix of humour and pathos was spot on. It made me smile and left me uplifted.